AIM: To observe the effect on visual quality by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) warm-reinforcing method for early idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane(IMEM).METHODS: Totally 21 patients (21 eyes) diagnosed as early IMEM with spleen-kidney yang deficiency were treated by Gubenmingmu powder for 2mo.The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), the contrast sensitivity and the modified vision quality of questionnaire score were detected to compare the life influence of pretherapy with posttherapy in visual changes.RESULTS: The BCVA were separately 0.24±0.07、0.22±0.06、0.27±0.08 in the treating time of 1, 2 and 5mo.Contrast sensitivity function in special frequencies of 6,12 and 18c/d increased than pretherapy (P<0.01), those of 3c/d were no statistically significant (P>0.05).Scales of night fixation difficulty, guidepost difficulty, TV font difficulty, satisfaction, annoyance, understanding, newspaper easiness had significant differences(P<0.01), while the rest of the scales had no significant differences(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: The TCM warm-reinforcing method could improve the visual function of IMEM patients and improve patients` quality of life.

OBJECTIVETo study the immuno-tolerance mechanism of the third-party bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the allogeneic transplantation.

METHODSForty female C57BL/6 mice and forty male BALB/C mice were respectively used as donors and recipients in skin allogenic graft model. Forty male BALB/C mice were divided randomly into 4 groups: blank control group, CP group, BMSCs group , CP + BMSCs group, with 10 mice in each group. Before skin graft, high-dose abdominal injection of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg, 2 d, q. d.) was performed in recipient mice in CP and CP + BMSCs groups. On the transplantation day, a bonus of 2 x 10(6) BMSCs from the SD rat (SD-BMSCs) were injected through the tail vein in the BMSCs and CP + BMSCs groups. The observation and HE staining of skin grafts were used. The expressions of CD29, CD34, CD45 and CD90 of cells were analyzed by using flow cytometry in order to identify BMSCs. The CD4+, CD25+, Foxp3 and Treg cells of spleen were detected by flow cytometry. Cytokine in peripheral blood of recipient mice were measured by ELISA, including TGF-beta, IL-10 and IFN-gamma. T cells were co-cultured with 60Co-irradiated bone marrow MSCs from different individuals. The proliferative activity of T cells were evaluated with MTT assay.

RESULTSThe skin graft survival time was significantly prolonged in the CP + BMSCs group, as compared with that in the blank control group, the CP group, the BMSCs group, respectively. Cells cultured by whole bone marrow adherent cultivation showed CD29 (99.7%), CD44+ (96.7%), CD34- (1.6%), CD45- (1.3%). Compared with the control group and CP group, the ratio of the CD4+, CD25+, Foxp3+ and Treg cells significantly increased in the SD-BMSCs group and CP + BMSCs group (P < 0.05). Analysis of peripheral blood by ELISA showed significant high level of TGF-beta, IL-10 and low level of IFN-gamma in BMSCs group and CP group,compared with that in control group. When co-cultured with BMSCs from different individuals, T- lymphocytes proliferation decreased apparently in SD-BMSCs group and C57-BMSCs group (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between SD-BMSCs group and C57-BMSCs group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe immunotolerance mechanism of the third-party bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the allogeneic transplantation might be associated with its effect on the proliferation of Treg cells and increasing expression of TGF-beta and IL-10, decreasing expression of IFN-gamma.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; immunology ; Female ; Immune Tolerance ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Interleukin-10 ; immunology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin Transplantation ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; immunology ; Transplantation, Homologous

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes and prognosis of thyroid function in the patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC)after antiviral treatment,and to clarify the influence of baseline factors in the changes of thyroid function.Methods 243 CHC patients with normal baseline thyroid function were enrolled. All patients were treated with IFN-alpha-2b(IFN-α2b)combined with ribavirin for 48 weeks.The thyroid function and serum HCV RNA level were assessed at 12,24,36,48,60 and 72 weeks.According to the changes in thyroid function after treatment,the patients were divided into continued normal,subclinical hypothyroidism,hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism groups.The regularity of the changes of thyroid function of the patients in various groups were observed.Results Among 243 CHC patients,82(33.7%)patients had thyroid dysfunction.The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism,hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were 20.9%(51/243),5.3%(13/243)and 7.4%(18/243),respectively. At the end of 72 weeks,there were 32 (39.0%)patients suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism,12 (14.6%) patients with hypothyroidism and 7 (8.5%) patients with hyperthyroidism rehabilitated.6(7.3%)patients suffering from hypothyroidism turned to subclinical hypothyroidism,and 3(3.7%) patients suffering from hyperthyroidism turned to subclinical hypothyroidism.19(23.2%)patients had no significant change,they performed for continued subclinical hypothyroidism (1,1.2%),hypothyroidism (13,15.9%)and hyperthyroidism (5 , 6.1%).In addition, 3 (3.7%)patients with hyperthyroidism turned to hypothyroidism.An increased risk for hypothyroidism was found in female patients compared with males (P<0.05);the average age of the patients with hyperthyroidism was lower than those of the patients with hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism and continued normal (P<0.05);the baseline levels of GGT in the patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were lower than those of the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and continued normal(P<0.05).The ratio of the patients with HCV 2a to the patients with hypertyroidism was higher than those of the patients with hypothyroidism,subclinical hypothyroidism and continued normal(P<0.05).Conclusion Thyroid function in the CHC patients can be affected by antiviral treatment. Gender, age, liver function, genotype of HCV are influencing factors for the changes of thyroid function.

Objective:To synthesize 177Lu-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-617 with domestic 177Lu (made in China), and explore its optimal labeling condition, biodistribution, stability, and safety. Methods:177Lu-PSMA-617 was prepared with domestic 177Lu by a manual method. The optimal labeling condition, radiochemical purity, stability ( in vivo and in vitro), lipid-water partition coefficient, and plasma protein binding rate were determined. The uptake rate of 177Lu-PSMA-617 was evaluated by using 22RV1 cells. Biodistribution and SPECT/CT imaging were performed on normal mice with imported 177Lu-PSMA-617 as control group. The blood routine test was performed to evaluate the safety. Results:The best labeling result of domestic 177Lu-PSMA-617 can be obtained under the following conditions: pH=4.5, 100 ℃ for 30 min. And the radiochemical purity was ≥99%. The product was stable in vivo and in vitro, with the radiochemical purity >95% in 72 h. The plasma protein binding rate was (35.3±5.3)%, the lipid-water partition coefficient was -2.27±0.06, and the specific uptake rate of domestic 177Lu-PSMA-617 by 22RV1 cells reached the highest in 1 h ((7.58±0.84)%), which was slightly lower than the imported 177Lu-PSMA-617 ((7.86±0.96)%), but there was no significant difference between them ( t=-0.439, P>0.05). The distribution and SPECT/CT imaging of normal mice showed that domestic and imported 177Lu-PSMA-617 in blood were cleared quite fast, and both of them were excreted mainly through the kidneys. No obvious adverse reactions were found in the toxicity test of domestic and imported 177Lu-PSMA-617. There was no obvious abnormality in blood routine and liver and kidney metabolism. Conclusion:The domestic 177Lu-PSMA-617 has many advantages, such as qualified quality control, good biological properties and safety, which support its potential application value in diagnosis of prostatic neoplasms.

OBJECTIVETo standardize the establishment of a stable rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation and surgical technique of two-cuff technique for improving the operation success rate, and compare the effect of graft perfusion via the portal vein and the abdominal aorta on the graft function.

METHODSTotally 100 cases of orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in rats under microscope according to modified Kamada's two cuff technique. The rats were divided into 2 groups with the donor liver perfused through the portal vein with 10 ml cold lactated Ringer's solution, and via the abdominal aorta with 20 ml cold lactated Ringer's solution, respectively. The postoperative function recovery and pathological changes of the liver grafts were evaluated by serum ALT detection and histopathological examination. The operation success rate, 3-month survival rate of the rats and the complications were observed.

RESULTSNo significant differences was noted in the liver function, operation success rate and 3-month survival rate between the 2 groups, and histopathological examination also showed similar findings. The success rates of the two groups were 98% and 96%, with 3-month survival rate of 93.5% (29/31) and 93.3% (28/30) (P>0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe liver transplantation models with portal vein or abdominal aorta graft perfusion both serve well their respective purposes. Good microsurgical skills, standardized performance and shortened anhepatic period are the keys to improved stability and survival rate and reduced operative complications.

Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; surgery ; Liver ; blood supply ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; mortality ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Portal Vein ; surgery ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Survival Rate

Qi arrival is the meridian qi response to acupuncture stimulation. Through analyzing the relevant concepts of qi arrival and summarizing the general understanding of it in clinic and on the basis of the collection of the relevant literature at home and abroad on the determination of qi arrival and its strength, the characteristics are analyzed on the present method and the method for the determination of qi arrival and its strength is discussed in terms of the results in the needling sensation scale. It is believed that the needling sensation and its strength can be used to determine whether the qi is arrived or not and its strength. The components of different types of needling sensation are much better applicable for the analysis on the characteristics and rules on the influence on qi arrival. This method is in compliance not only with the theoretic connotation of qi arrival, but also with the clinical general understanding, which lays the foundation for the analysis on the scale results.
Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Meridians ; Qi ; Sensation

Objective: To observe the effects of minimally invasive tangential excision in treating deep partial-thickness burn wounds on trunk and limbs in pediatric patients in the early stage post burn. Methods: Clinical data of 40 children with deep partial-thickness burn wounds on trunk and limbs, admitted to our burn ward from January 2016 to June 2017, conforming to the study criteria, were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into conventional treatment group (CT, n=19) and minimally invasive tangential excision group (MITE, n=21) according to the different treatments. The patients in group CT were treated with eschar-reserving therapy firstly. When tangential excision was performed, the roller knife was used, and no necrotic tissue left on the wound bed was considered the proper depth of excision. Razor-thickness skin grafting was performed to cover the wound when adipose tissue exposed markedly after tangential excision. Dressing change was performed within 48 h after the operation and repeated every 2 days. Unhealed wounds were covered by razor-thickness skin grafting. The patients in group MITE were treated with tangential excision in the early stage post burn. The tangential excision was operated with electric dermatome, and the thickness was set at 0.1 mm to excise the surface of eschar until the sporadic punctate hemorrhage on wound surface was observed and some necrotic tissue was left on the wound bed. Porcine acellular dermal matrix was applied after tangential excision. The first dressing change was often performed about 1 week after the operation. Razor-thickness skin grafting was performed to cover the unhealed wounds. The length of wound healing, high fever, antibiotic usage, and hospital stay, times of later operation, and hospitalization expenses of patients in the 2 groups were recorded. The excisional eschar and wound bed tissue of patients in group MITE were harvested for pathological observation. Data were processed with t test and Fisher′s exact probability test. Results: (1) There were no statistically significant differences in length of high fever and length of hospital stay and hospitalization expenses between patients in the 2 groups (t=-1.67, -1.93, 0.31, P>0.05). The lengths of wound healing [(24.8±2.5) d] and antibiotic usage [(4.4±0.7) d] of patients in group MITE were significantly shorter than those in group CT [(33.3±2.5) and (7.0±0.7) d, t=-2.44, -2.44, P<0.05], and times of later operation of patients in group MITE [(0.29±0.14) times] were significantly less than those in group CT [(0.79±0.21) times, t=-2.03, P<0.05]. (2) The thickness of the excisional eschar of patients in group MITE was about 150 μm. The eschar has epidermis and upper dermis. Some necrotic tissue was left on the wound bed. Conclusions The treatment for pediatric deep partial-thickness burn wounds on trunk and limbs with minimally invasive tangential excision using electric dermatome in the early stage post burn can accelerate wound healing, shorten length of antibiotic usage, and reduce times of later operations.

OBJECTIVE Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) are immune checkpoints which can be induced by interferon-γ(IFN-γ) in the tumor microenvironment, leading to immune escape of tumors. Myricetin (MY) is a flavonoid distributed in many edible and medicinal plants. The aim of this study is to clarify the effect and the mechanism of MY on inhibiting IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 and IDO1 in lung cancer cells. METHODS Expressions of PD-L1 and major histocompatibility complex-I (MHC-I) were evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blotting, and the expression of IDO1 was measured by Western blotting. qRT-PCR was used to detect their mRNA levels. The function of T cells was evaluated using a co-culture system consist of lung cancer cells and the Jurkat-PD-1 T cell line that overexpressing PD-1. Molecular docking analysis, Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used for mechanism study. RESULTS MY potently inhibited IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 and IDO1 expression in human lung cancer cells, while didn't show obvious effect on the expression of MHC-I. In addition, MY restored the survival, proliferation, CD69 expression and interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion of Jurkat-PD-1 T cells suppressed by IFN-γ-treated lung cancer cells in the co-culture system. Mechanistically, IFN-γ up-regulated PD-L1 and IDO1 at the transcriptional level through the JAK-STAT-IRF1 axis, which was targeted and inhibited by MY. CONCLUSION Our research revealed a new insight into the anti-tumor effects of MY which inhibited IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 and IDO1 expression, supporting the potential of MY in anti-tumor immunotherapy.

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical efficacy between discectomy and discectomy plus Coflex fixation for lumbar disc herniation.

METHODSFrom December 2007 to August 2008, 50 patients (31 males and 19 females) were treated by surgery of discectomy and discectomy plus Coflex fixation. The average age was 52.5 years (range, 30 - 72 years). There were 24 cases in the group of discectomy plus Coflex fixation and 26 cases in the group of discectomy. Preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scales (VAS), Japanese Orthopadic Association (JOA) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded, as well as radiological index. And use a paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) statistical method to evaluate the Coflex dynamic stabilization system in value in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

RESULTSBoth groups received significant improvement of JOA, ODI and VAS (t = -33.2 - 64.5, P < 0.01), but the group of discectomy was found with deterioration of ODI at last follow-up, 12 months after surgery 6.7 ± 1.5 to 10.2 ± 2.3 (t = -19.3, P < 0.05). The group of discectomy plus Coflex fixation was found with significant increase of height of dorsal intervertebral discs (HD), distance across the two adjacent spinous processes (DS), distance of intervertebral foramina (DIF) and spinal canal area(SA) (t = -34.4 - 4.5, P < 0.05). In contrast, the group of discectomy was found with significant decrease of HD, DS, DIF and SA (t = 3.4 - 52.8, P < 0.05). Coflex fixed group in HD, DIF, DS significant difference with simple discectomy group, with a statistically significant (F = 14.1 - 25.6, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth discectomy and discectomy plus Coflex fixation are apparently effective when treating lumbar disc herniation. Coflex can significantly increase the HD and DIF when used for lumbar disc herniation, and it has positive influence for keeping height of lumbar vertebral space and treating the nerve root symptom of lumbar disc herniation. Discectomy plus Coflex is better than pure discectomy in preventing lumbar degeneration.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the emotional and depressive differences between severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients whose occupations were doctor/nurse and others.

METHODSDuring the three months when SARS was explosive in 2003, 524 questionnaires were collected from Xuanwu Hospital, You'an Hospital, Xiaotangshan Hospital, Renmin Hospital and Ditan Hospital in Beijing. There were 109 questionnaires finished by patients as doctors/nurses themselves. For a background matching, 109 questionnaires were also finished by the others.

RESULTSFrom 218 questionnaires, we found that the score on emotional condition (46.6204 +/- 8.4408 vs. 41.6789 +/- 8.612 95, P < 0.001) of SARS patients whose jobs were doctor/nurse was higher than the other groups on while the score of SARS patients whose jobs were doctor/nurse was lower than the other groups (37.7615 +/- 9.026 61 vs. 41.2844 +/- 9.655 25, P = 0.006) regarding depressive condition. The scores of emotional and depressive condition were all correlated with the factor as "I can not master my future".

CONCLUSIONDoctors/nurses having SARS had less emotional and depressive conditions than the others, which might due to the difference in medical knowledge, working condition and the route of infection, suggesting that psychological intervention in the post-SARS period called for attention.

Case-Control Studies ; China ; Cross Infection ; prevention & control ; psychology ; Depression ; psychology ; Female ; Health Personnel ; psychology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Patients ; psychology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; psychology ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires